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Lesson

What’s in the Articles of Confederation?

Guiding question

What challenges did the new nation face after gaining independence?

Grade
6–8
Published
Jun 30, 2025
Historic buildings in a colonial style with a person sitting on the steps of a shop, surrounded by greenery.
How did the Articles of Confederation address the challenges the new nation faced? 

Founding Principles

Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances

Virtues

Moderation

Guiding Questions

  • What challenges did the new nation face after gaining independence? 
  • How did the Articles of Confederation address these challenges? 

Objectives 

  • Students will analyze the major challenges faced by the early U.S. government.  
  • Students will evaluate how the Articles of Confederation attempted to address the challenges.  

Materials

Student Resources:

Teacher Resources:

Lesson Components

ActivityArticles of Confederation Middle School Primary Source Set

Evaluate how the Articles of Confederation attempted to address the challenges.

Lesson plan

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Standards

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